It is the first time the BHP owned mine,based in the Illawarra near Wollongong, NSW, has contracted out gateroad development.

Walter has mobilised on site and is implementing conventional cutting and bolting for development, using BHP’s equipment.

The contract gives BHP the right to terminate at any time with no penalties and requires progress to be subject to a monthly review process.

Peter Roberts, Walter’s mining manager, said the company’s previous success at the Kenmare mine in Queensland in implementing proven systems of driveage had been the mechanism by which the company won the West Cliff job.

Roberts said Walter was targeting around 250 metres of driveage per week and after one week on the job crews were already working at projected rates.

In other news, at the end of last year, Walter won a contract for the design, manufacture and installation of the Tahmoor longwall mine’s north west conveyor system. This was in joint venture with conveyor manufacturer Continental.